Matthew 12:46

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 12:46-50

See also Mark 3:31-35; Luke 8:19-21.His brethren - There has been some difference of opinion about the persons who are referred to here, some supposing that they were children of Mary his mother, others that they were the children of Mary, the wife of Cleophas or Alpheus, his “cousins,” and called “brethren” according to the customs of the Jews. The natural and obvious meaning is, however, that they were the children of Mary his mother. See also Mark 6:3. To this opinion, moreover, there can be... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 12:46-50

Matthew 12:46-50. While he yet talked with the people While he was uttering these solemn truths, and giving these awful warnings, in the audience of the vast multitudes that were gathered around him: behold, his mother and his brethren Or near kinsmen, (namely, the sons of Mary the wife of Cleopas, or Alpheus, his mother’s sister,) stood without, not being able to come near him because of the multitude that sat about him: But he said, Who is my mother? &c. We must not suppose that... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 12:46-50

53. Jesus and his family (Matthew 12:46-50; Mark 3:20-21,Mark 3:31-35; Luke 8:19-21)The children of Mary and Joseph born after Jesus were James, Joseph, Simon, Judas and at least two daughters (cf. Matthew 13:55-56; Mark 6:3). At first they did not accept Jesus as the Messiah, but thought he was suffering from some sort of religious madness (Mark 3:20-21; cf. John 7:3-5). Jesus must have been saddened to see such an attitude in his brothers and sisters, but he knew that more important than... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 12:46

talked = was talking. people = multitudes. stood = were standing. desiring to speak = seeking to speak. Their avowed purpose. But in Mark 3:21 , Mark 3:31 their real purpose was to "lay hold on Him", and the reason is given: "for they said ' He is beside Himself '". This accounts for the Lord's answer. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 12:46

While he was yet speaking to the multitudes, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, seeking to speak with him.If the mother of Jesus in this passage was his literal mother, then there is no reason to suppose that his brothers were not his literal brothers. Medieval theology has warped the views of expositors on such Scriptures as this and others like it. See more on this subject under Matthew 13:55. What they desired to discuss is not known. read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Matthew 12:46

Matthew 12:46. Behold, his mother and his brethren— See ch. Matthew 13:55. Mary was attended by her sister's children, who were the cousins, or, according to the Hebrew dialect, the brethren of Christ, (see on ch. Matthew 10:2.) and who waited on her during her stay in Capernaum; a piece of respect which her blessed Son could not shew, on account of the duties of his ministry. It was on occasion of their application to him, that Jesus uttered that excellent saying in the subsequent verses,... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Matthew 12:46

46. While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren—(See on :-). stood without, desiring to speak with him—"and could not come at Him for the press" (Luke 8:19). For what purpose these came, we learn from Mark 3:20; Mark 3:21. In His zeal and ardor He seemed indifferent both to food and repose, and "they went to lay hold of Him" as one "beside Himself." Mark (Mark 3:21- :) says graphically, "And the multitude sat about Him"—or "around Him." read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 12:1-50

B. Specific instances of Israel’s rejection of Jesus ch. 12Matthew has shown that opposition to Jesus came from two main sources: the animosity of the religious leaders, and the indifference of the common Israelites. In this chapter he presented five instances in which opposition manifested itself and increased. In each situation the approach to Jesus was negative, but Jesus responded positively. [Note: Toussaint, Behold the . . ., p. 158.] "Central to the plot of Matthew’s story is the element... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 12:46-47

Jesus’ brothers were evidently his physical brothers, the sons of Mary. Some Roman Catholics desiring to maintain their perpetual virginity of Mary doctrine have argued that they were Jesus’ brothers but the sons of Joseph by a previous marriage. [Note: E.g., John McHugh, The Mother of Jesus in the New Testament, pp. 200-202.] If they were, the oldest of these brothers would have been the legal heir to David’s throne. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 12:46-50

4. Conflict over Jesus’ kin 12:46-50 (cf. Mark 3:31-35; Luke 8:19-21)A very subtle form of opposition arose from Jesus’ physical family members. It provided an opportunity for Jesus to explain true relationship to Messiah and to affirm His disciples. read more

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